Plans In The Works For New Library

Boca Staff Meeting With Firm To Discuss Downtown Facility

The process of designing and building the new Boca Raton Downtown Public Library has officially started.

On Jan. 20, city staff began meeting with Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville, confirmed Assistant City Manager Mike Woika and Ian Nestler, a principal in the firm's Boca Raton office. The firm renovated the city's Fire-Rescue Services headquarters and training building at 6500 N. Congress Ave.

But this doesn't mean it's a slam-dunk for PGAL.

"If everything works well and we get work orders and an overall agreement [with] the city, which sets out all the terms," and the City Council approves it, PGAL will be awarded the contract, Woika said. "If not, we may have to go to No. 2."

Woika said they hope to have a contract and the first work order for the City Council in February or March.

This will be the second major library project for the city. Residents approved a $19.8 million bond in March 2003 to construct two new libraries - a downtown library and a Spanish River Library.

The city issued $10 million of the bond issue for the Spanish River Library at 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd., which opened in January 2008. It is part of a sprawling recreational complex still in the works that will include a large lake, a natural area boardwalk and additional sports fields.

The city intends to spend the remaining $9.8 million on the downtown library, and the city's Capital Improvement Plan includes $2.8 million for furniture, fixtures and equipment.

As late as the summer of 2008, the city was considering postponing the downtown redo because of the economy. And the defunct Cartoon Museum in Mizner Park was looked at for the site.

But city officials moved forward, the museum idea was scrubbed, and "we decided to remodel the library on the existing site and add 20,000 square feet, doubling the space," Woika said. The library is at 200 NW Boca Raton Blvd.

But even that plan is uncertain.

PGAL's "first order of business will be to evaluate the existing building," Woika said.

That will include the structure, electrical and air-conditioning systems, and how much it will cost to bring the building up to codes, including the Americans With Disabilities Act.

"We don't come to the table with any preconceived notions," Nestler said. "It will take a couple of months to go through the investigation process and get a consensus."

He plans to build that consensus with residents and library patrons, the city's Library Advisory Board and the Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library, which has been vocal in asking the city to keep the library open during construction.

The original plan was to close the library during construction and have patrons use the Spanish River Library, Woika said. But now the city will ask the firm how much it will cost to keep it open and if it "makes economic sense."

Janet Klingler, the Friends' president, is glad to hear that.

"I'm very happy they listened to us and are taking our request into consideration," she said.